Interspecific tree named: ‘Dapple Fire’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct interspecific tree [(Plum×Plum nectarine)×(Peach×Plum peach)]; the characteristics of the tree and its fruit are with the tree budded on Citation Rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112), and grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., using standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     2. Vigorous and upright growth. 
     3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 
     4. Fruit with a high degree of attractive brownish red skin color. 
     5. Fruit having firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In the field of plant genetics we conduct an extensive and continuingplant breeding program including the origination and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which interspecifics, plums,peaches, nectarines, apricots and cherries are exemplary. It is againstthis background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of interspecific, plum and peach trees,which are known to us, and mentioned herein, are Interspecific TreeDapple Dandy (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,554), the Plum Tree Red Beaut (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,539), the Peach Tree O'Henry (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,964) and the Interspecific Tree Citation (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus tree [(Prunussalicina×(Prunus salicina×Prunus persica var. nucipersica))×(Prunuspersica×(Prunus salicina×Prunus persica))] was developed by us in ourexperimental orchard as a first generation cross between two selectedseedlings with the field identification numbers 150LB5 and 14GD84.(These non-patented selections were developed and selected by us forfuture use in our breeding program). The maternal parent 150LB5originated from a cross of a plum seedling of unknown parentage with aseedling of an open pollinated Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,539) crossed with a nectarine of unknown parentage. The paternalparent (14GD84) originated from a peach seedling selection of openpollinated O'Henry Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964) seeds crossed witha selected seedling originating from a cross of Red Beaut Plum (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 2,539) with a peach of unknown parentage. A large groupof these first generation seedlings, growing on their own root, wereplanted and maintained under close observation by us. In September of1995, we removed a bud stock from the most vigorous seedlings and buddedthese to Citation Rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,112). It was fromthese budded trees that we recognized the outstanding fruitcharacteristics of the present variety and selected it forcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to Citation Rootstock, as performed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific Prunus tree[(Plum×Plum Nectarine)×(Peach×Plum Peach)] is of large size, vigorous,upright in growth and is a regular and productive bearer of large, firm,red flesh, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by being relatively uniform in sizethroughout the tree, having good storage and shipping quality, with anattractive reddish brown skin color and having high soluble solids,17.5° Brix. In comparison to the fruit of the Interspecific Tree DappleDandy (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,554), the flesh of the new variety isdarker red in color, the fruit shape is slightly more elongated, theskin color is a deeper reddish brown color and is approximately 2 weeksearlier in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked,(shipping ripe), and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 5 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor terminology (except those in common terms) in accordance withReinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Pruned to 10 to 12 feet in height and width primarily foreconomical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree growth of 5 to 6 feet in height and 4 to 5 feet inwidth the first growing season.

Growth.—Upright growth habit. Heavy production tends to spread width oftree, usually pruned to vase shape.

Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set usually two or more times desiredamount, thinning necessary.

Bearer.—Regular. Heavy fruit set 4 consecutive years. No alternatebearing observed.

Form.—Usually pruned to vase shape.

Density.—Medium dense. Pruning to open center of tree to vase shapewhich improves sunlight and air movement to the center of tree toenhance fruit color and growth of fruit bearing wood.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California. Treegrowing in Zone 9, winter chilling is approximately 750 hours at orbelow 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 15 inches measured at 14inches above ground on 5 year old tree.

Texture.—Medium shaggy, becomes rougher with age of tree.

Color.—Brown to dark brown (5-D-3) to (5-E-5). Varies with age of tree.

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average circumference 7 inches measured 47 inches aboveground. Crotch angle approximately 30°. Angle increases with heavy cropload.

Surface texture.—Smooth to medium rough, varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.—Average number 34 within a 4 square inch surface. Averagelength— ⅛ inch. Average width— {fraction (3/64)} inch. Size increaseswith growth of branch. Color— Light brown to golden brown (5-C-6) to5-D-7).

Color.—First years new growth, olive brown to yellowish brown (4-D-6) to(4-E-8). Mature growth, brown to dark brown (6-D-6) to (6-F-6), becomesdarker with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average length 3 inches. Average width 1{fraction (13/32)}inches.

Form.—Elliptic.

Apex.—Cuspidate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Margin.—Doubly serrate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly indented overleaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface relatively smooth, small ridgescreated by midrib and pinnate veining, pubescent, very short.

Petiole.—Average length— {fraction (47/64)} inch. Average width—{fraction (3/64)} inch. Color, upper surface— Nankeen yellow to brownishorange yellow (3-B-7) to (5-C-7). Lower surface— pale green to greenishwhite (30-A-2) to (30-A-4).

Glands.—Globose. Number varies from 0 to 3. Average number 2. Size—minute, {fraction (1/64)} inch. Color— light orange to grayish orange(6-A-6) to (6-B-6). Located on base of leaf blade and upper portion ofpetiole.

Color.—Upper surface— green to dark green (29-F-5) to (29-F-7). Lowersurface— grayish green to green (29-D-6) to (29-E-8). Varies with soilfertility and age of leaf.

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium. Average length— ⅜ inch. Average width— {fraction (15/64)}inch, 4 days before bloom.

Number of buds per spur.—Average number 8. Number varies from 4 to 25,primarily with size and age of spur.

Form.—Plump, free, conical, becoming elongated as bud matures.

Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.

Color.—Lower ⅔ of petals— white (1-A-1). Upper ⅓ of petals— pale pink(11-A-3).

Flowers:

Size.—Medium. Average height— ½ inch. Average diameter— {fraction(23/32)} inch.

Number of flowers per bud.—Average number 2, varies from 1 to 3.

Petals.—Shape— orbicular, smaller at point of attachment. Number— five,alternately positioned to sepals Surface of upper edge varies fromsmooth to slightly scalloped. Color varies from white (1-A-1) to verypale pink (11-A-3) near upper surface. Size— average length ⅜ inch.Average width {fraction (5/16)} inch.

Sepals.—Number— five, alternately positioned to petals. Medium size,ovate shape, apex rounded. Average length ⅛ inch. Average width ⅛ inchat point of attachment. Color, upper surface— olive green to oliveyellow (2-D-6) to (2-D-7). Lower surface— olive to olive gray (3-D-5) to(3-D-7). Color varies with age of flower. Both surfaces glabrous.

Stamens.—Number varies from 26 to 30, per flower. Average number 30.Average length {fraction (5/16)} inch. Filament color— white (1-A-1).Anther color— light orange (6-A-5).

Pollen.—Present, self-sterile, pollenizer required. Color— maize yellow(4-A-6).

Pistil.—Normally one. Average length— {fraction (11/32)} inch. Color—pale yellow green (30-A-3). Positioned slightly below the anthers.Surface— glabrous.

Pedicel.—Average length {fraction (25/64)} inch. Average width {fraction(3/64)} inch. Color— pastel green (30-A-4).

Aroma.—Slight.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 28, 2000. Date of Petal FallMar. 7, 2000. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—The base color of the flower is white (1-A-1) with upper ⅓ of thepetals pale pink (11-A-2). Color fades to white with age.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe (shipping ripe).

Date of first picking.—Jul. 1, 2000.

Date of last picking.—Jul. 9, 2000 Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Large. Average diameter axially— 2¼ inches to 2½ inches. Averagetransversely in suture plane— 2⅜ inches to 2½ inches. Average weight—142 grams. Average weight varies slightly with fertility of the soil,amount of thinning and climatic conditions.

Form.—Nearly globose, slightly elongated in suture plane.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Nearly rounded.

Apex.—Rounded, some fruit slightly retuse.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth— ⅜inch. Average breadth— ½ inch.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Relatively even, only slightly earlier along suture.

Texture.—Firm, meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Aroma.—Very slight.

Amydgalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Very good.

Flavor.—Very good.

Juice.—Moderate to heavy, enhances flavor, good balance between acid andsugar.

Brix.—Average Brix— 17.5°, varies slightly with number of fruit per treeand climatic conditions.

Color.—Varies from Chinese rouge to lobster red (9-A-8) to (9-D-8). Alighter glow with rays of pale yellow orange (6-A-3) to pastel red(7-A-4) extending from pit cavity outward. Color deepens with maturityof fruit. Pit cavity varies from garnet red to deep ruby (12-C-8) to(12D-8).

Stem:

Size.—Average length— ½ inch. Average diameter— ⅛ inch.

Color.—Olive brown (4-E-4) to (4-E-7).

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium, tenacious to flesh.

Texture.—Medium.

Bloom.—Moderate amount.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Color.—Golden yellow to brownish yellow (4-B-7) to (4-C-7) ground color.Overspread with Venetian red to garnet red (8-D-8) to (9-D-8). Small,minute rounded areas of exposed ground cover giving a randomly spaced,speckled pattern.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Medium to large. Average length— 1⅛ inches. Average width— ¾ inch.Average thickness— {fraction (7/16)} inch.

Form.—Ovoid.

Base.—Straight.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Surface.—Very lightly pitted throughout. Small, narrow ridges runningfrom base toward apex extending from ⅓ to ½ the length of the stone. Onesmall, narrow groove on each side of suture.

Sides.—Equal to unequal. One side of some stones extend further outwardfrom center of suture plane.

Ridges.—Small, very narrow.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—Varies from tan to light brown when dry (4-B-4) to (4-B-5).

Use: Dessert. Market— local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage (38-42° F.) for 2 weekswithout internal flesh breakdown or loss of eating quality.

Shipping quality: Good, picking and packing of fruit gave minimalbruising of flesh or skin scarring.

Disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing for relativeplant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been designed. Underclose observation during planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit,under normal cultural and growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., noparticular plant/fruit disease resistance or susceptibility has beenobserved. Any variety or selection observed during indexing of plantcharacteristics with abnormal susceptibility is destroyed and eliminatedfrom our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous upright growth, and being a productive and regular bearerof large, clingstone fruit with very good flavor and eating quality, thefruit is further characterized by having firm flesh with good storageand shipping quality and, in comparison to the fruit of theInterspecific Tree Dapple Dandy (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,554), it has adarker red, more attractive flesh color and is approximately 2 weeksearlier in maturity.